believersworld

1. Matthew
   Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia, Killed by a sword wound.
2. Mark
   Died in Alexandria, Egypt , after being dragged by Horses through the streets until he was dead.
3. Luke
   Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous Preaching to the lost.
4. John
   Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge Basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution In Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered From death.
   John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison Island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic Book of Revelation on Patmos . The apostle John was later freed and returned to serve As Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey . He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully
5. Peter
   He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross.
   According to church tradition it was because he told his tormentors that he felt unworthy to die In the same way that Jesus Christ had died.
6. James
   The leader of the church in Jerusalem , was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple when he refused to deny his faith in Christ. When they discovered that he survived the fall, his
   enemies beat James to death with a fuller’s club.

• This was the same pinnacle where Satan had taken Jesus during the Temptation.

1. James the Son of Zebedee,
   was a fisherman by trade when Jesus Called him to a lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church, James was beheaded at Jerusalem. The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James defended his faith at his trial. Later, the officer Walked beside James to the place of execution. Overcome by conviction, he declared his new faith to the judge and Knelt beside James to accept beheading as a Christian.
2. Bartholomew
   Also known as Nathaniel Was a missionary to Asia. He witnessed for our Lord in present day Turkey. Bartholomew was martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.
3. Andrew
   Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras, Greece. After being whipped severely by seven soldiers they tied his body to the cross with cords to prolong his agony. His followers reported that, when he was led toward the cross, Andrew saluted it in these words: ‘I have long desired and expected this happy hour. The cross has been consecrated by the body of Christ hanging on it.’ He continued to preach to his tormentors For two days until he expired.
4. Thomas
   Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the Sub-continent.
5. Jude
   Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.
6. Matthias
   The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.
7. Paul
   Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at Rome in A.D. 67. Paul endured a lengthy imprisonment, which allowed him to write his many
   epistles to the churches he had formed throughout the Roman Empire. These letters, which taught many of the foundational Doctrines of Christianity, form a large portion of the New Testament.

Perhaps this is a reminder to us that our sufferings here are indeed minor compared to the intense persecution and cold cruelty faced by the apostles and disciples during their times For the sake of the Faith. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: But he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Pass on to encourage other Christians
Why Do we feel sleepy in Prayer,
But stay awake through a 3 hour movie?
Why are we so bored when we look at the HOLY BOOK,
But find it easy to read other books?
Why is it so easy to ignore a msg about God,
Yet we forward the nasty ones?
Why are Prayers getting smaller,
But bars and clubs are expanding
Why is it so easy to worship a celebrity,
But very difficult to engage with God?
Think about it, are you going to forward this?
Are you going to ignore it, cause you think you will get laughed at?
Forward this to all your friends.
80% of you won’t forward this.
God said: If you deny me in front of your friends, I will deny you on the day of judgment:

When one door closes, God opens two: If God has opened doors for you, send this message to everyone on your contact list.

Make this message your contribution to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, be blessed.

(The glorious return of Jesus)

Introduction
Biblical eschatology refers to the study of end times or the last days as described in the Bible. One significant aspect of biblical eschatology is the glorious return of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that Jesus will come back to earth in a triumphant and glorious manner.
According to the New Testament, Jesus himself spoke about his return. In Matthew 24:30, Jesus says, “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” This verse portrays Jesus returning in a visible and majestic manner, with all people witnessing his arrival.

The Apostle Paul also writes about the glorious return of Jesus in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, stating, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” This passage describes a resurrection of the dead in Christ and a gathering of believers to meet Jesus in the air.

The book of Revelation also provides vivid imagery of Jesus’ glorious return. Revelation 19:11-16 describes Jesus as a conquering king riding on a white horse, leading the armies of heaven. He is depicted as having a name written on his robe and thigh, “King of kings and Lord of lords.” This passage emphasizes the authority and power of Jesus as he returns to establish his kingdom on earth.

The glorious return of Jesus is seen as a time of judgment and reward. Jesus will judge the living and the dead, separating the righteous from the unrighteous. Those who have put their faith in Jesus will be rewarded with eternal life in his presence, while those who have rejected him will face eternal separation from God.

Overall, biblical eschatology teaches that the glorious return of Jesus will be a momentous event, marked by his visible and triumphant arrival. It is a time of judgment, reward, and the establishment of his eternal kingdom.

THE DEFEAT OF SATAN AND HIS FORCES
Biblical eschatology refers to the study of end times and the events that will occur in the future according to the Bible. One significant aspect of biblical eschatology is the defeat of Satan and his forces.

According to the Bible, Satan is portrayed as a powerful spiritual being who opposes God and seeks to deceive and destroy humanity. However, biblical eschatology teaches that Satan’s ultimate defeat is certain and will occur at the end of time.

The defeat of Satan and his forces is described in various passages throughout the Bible, including Revelation 20:7-10. In this passage, it is written that Satan will be released from his prison and will gather an army to wage war against God’s people. However, God will intervene and defeat Satan and his forces. Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is a symbol of eternal punishment and separation from God.

Additionally, other passages such as Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-19 provide insights into the fall of Satan and his rebellion against God. These passages describe Satan’s pride and his desire to exalt himself above God, resulting in his eventual downfall.

Furthermore, Jesus’ ministry on earth is also seen as a significant event in the defeat of Satan. In Matthew 12:28-29, Jesus states that he has come to bind the strong man (referring to Satan) and plunder his house. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus has ultimately defeated Satan and his power over humanity.

Overall, biblical eschatology teaches that Satan’s defeat is certain and will occur at the end of time. This victory is accomplished through God’s intervention and the work of Jesus Christ.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF BELIEVERS
In biblical eschatology, the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of believers are significant events that are believed to occur at the end of time. These events are described in various passages throughout the Bible, particularly in the New Testament.

The resurrection of the dead refers to the belief that all people, both believers and non-believers, will be raised from the dead and given new bodies. This concept is mentioned in several passages, including 1 Corinthians 15:52-53, which states, “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”

According to biblical eschatology, believers will experience a transformation during the resurrection. Their mortal bodies will be changed into immortal, imperishable bodies, similar to the resurrected body of Jesus Christ. This transformation is described in Philippians 3:20-21, which says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

The transformation of believers is seen as a fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem and restore all things. It is believed to be a glorious event where believers will be fully united with Christ and experience eternal life in his presence. This transformation is also associated with the final judgment, where believers will be rewarded for their faithfulness and receive their eternal inheritance.

Overall, the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of believers are central aspects of biblical eschatology. They represent the hope and assurance that believers have in the future resurrection and eternal life with God.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHRIST’S MILLENNIAL REIGN ON EARTH.
Biblical eschatology refers to the study of end times and the events that will occur in the future according to the Bible. The establishment of Christ’s millennial reign on earth is a concept found in the book of Revelation, specifically in Revelation 20:1-6.

According to this passage, after a period of tribulation and the defeat of Satan, Jesus Christ will return to earth and establish His millennial reign. The term “millennium” refers to a thousand-year period, during which Christ will rule over the earth.

During this time, Satan will be bound and unable to deceive the nations. The righteous believers who have died will be resurrected, and they will reign with Christ for a thousand years. This period is often referred to as the “Millennium Kingdom” or the “Millennial Reign of Christ.”

The Bible does not provide a lot of specific details about what this reign will look like, but it does mention some aspects. It suggests that there will be peace, justice, and righteousness during this time. The earth will be restored, and there will be harmony among all creation.

At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time to deceive the nations once again. However, he will be ultimately defeated, and there will be a final judgment where all the dead will be raised and judged according to their deeds.

After the final judgment, the new heaven and new earth will be created, and God’s eternal kingdom will be established. This is described in Revelation 21-22.

It is important to note that interpretations of eschatology, including the concept of Christ’s millennial reign, can vary among different Christian denominations and theologians.

Topic : The Rapture

The Rapture means the catching up of the believers

Different views on the timing of the rapture.
There are various views on the timing of the rapture within Christian theology. Here are some of the different perspectives:

Pre-Tribulation Rapture: This view holds that the rapture will occur before the seven-year period of tribulation described in the book of Revelation. Proponents of this view believe that believers will be taken up to meet Jesus in the air, escaping the hardships and trials of the tribulation.

Mid-Tribulation Rapture: According to this view, the rapture will take place in the middle of the seven-year tribulation period. Advocates of this perspective believe that believers will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air at this point, just before the most severe judgments of the tribulation occur.

: This view suggests that CHURCH rapture will happen at the end of the tribulation period, just before Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on earth. Supporters of this perspective believe that believers will experience the entire WORLD will be raptured to meet Jesus as He descends to earth.

It’s important to note that these views are based on different interpretations of biblical passages, and there is ongoing debate among Christians regarding the timing of the rapture.

THE TRIBULATION

The purpose of the tribulation, according to Christian eschatology, is to serve as a period of intense suffering and turmoil before the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is believed to be a time of great tribulation and judgment upon the earth, where God’s wrath is poured out on those who have rejected Him.

The duration of the tribulation is a topic of debate among different Christian denominations and interpretations of biblical prophecy. Some believe it will last for a literal seven years, based on passages in the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation. Others interpret the seven-year period symbolically, representing a longer period of time.

The concept of the tribulation is primarily derived from the book of Revelation, particularly chapters 6-19, which describe various events and judgments that will occur during this time. These include the rise of the Antichrist, the sealing of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists, the pouring out of the seven seals, the sounding of the seven trumpets, and the pouring out of the seven bowls of God’s wrath.

The purpose of the tribulation is seen as a means for God to bring judgment upon the wicked, purify and refine His people, and ultimately establish His kingdom on earth. It is believed that during this time, many people will come to faith in Jesus Christ and be saved, while others will harden their hearts and reject Him.

Overall, the purpose and duration of the tribulation are important aspects of Christian eschatology, but there are varying interpretations and beliefs among different denominations and individuals.

THE ANTI CHRIST AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST.
In biblical eschatology, the Antichrist is a figure who opposes Christ and his teachings. The concept of the Antichrist is mentioned in several books of the Bible, including Daniel, 1 John, and Revelation.

According to biblical prophecy, the Antichrist will rise to power in the end times and deceive many people with his charisma and false teachings. He will be a global leader who seeks to establish a one-world government and religion, ultimately leading humanity away from God.

The mark of the Antichrist, often referred to as the “mark of the beast,” is mentioned in the book of Revelation. It is described as a mark that people will be forced to receive on their right hand or forehead in order to participate in the economic system controlled by the Antichrist. Those who refuse to receive the mark will face severe persecution and will be unable to buy or sell.

The mark of the beast is seen as a symbol of allegiance to the Antichrist and his kingdom. It represents a rejection of God and a submission to the Antichrist’s authority. The exact nature of the mark is not specified in the Bible, leading to various interpretations and speculations throughout history.

Christians are warned against receiving the mark of the beast, as it signifies a rejection of their faith in God and allegiance to Christ. The consequences of receiving the mark are severe, as it signifies eternal separation from God.Overall, biblical eschatology teaches that the Antichrist will rise to power in the end times and deceive many people. The mark of the beast represents allegiance to the Antichrist and his kingdom, and Christians are warned against receiving it.

GOD’S PROTECTION AND PROVISION FOR HIS PEOPLE DURING THE TRIBULATION
During the tribulation, God promises to protect and provide for His people who remain faithful to Him. This period of intense suffering and persecution is described in the Bible as a time of great tribulation, where believers will face various trials and tribulations.

In Revelation 7:14, it says, “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

This passage highlights God’s protection and provision for His people during the tribulation. They will be sheltered by His presence, and their needs for food, water, and protection will be met. God will be their shepherd, guiding and leading them to safety and sustenance.

Additionally, in Matthew 24:22, Jesus says, “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” This verse indicates that God will intervene and shorten the duration of the tribulation for the sake of His chosen people.

It is important to note that while God promises protection and provision, it does not mean that believers will be exempt from suffering or persecution during the tribulation. However, God’s presence and provision will sustain them through these difficult times.
Ultimately, God’s protection and provision during the tribulation demonstrate His faithfulness and love for His people. He will not abandon them but will be with them every step of the way, providing for their needs and ensuring their ultimate victory.

PASTORS AND THE ANOINTED MEN OF GOD AVOID THE FOLLOWING SO THAT YOU DON’T GET INTO TROUBLE

… But wisdom is profitable to direct.
Ecclesiastes 10:10

As a Pastor, you need to live your life and do your ministry with wisdom so that you can last long in ministry and avoid trouble from law enforcement agencies.

As a pastor, please don’t do the following:

1. Don’t guarantee or surety loans for people.
2. Don’t introduce businesses and investment schemes from the pulpit.
3. Don’t collect pictures from people for prayers.
4. Don’t sign bail bonds for people you are not sure of, especially new members or people whose family members you cannot trace or locate.
5. Don’t wed a couple when their parents have not consented or dowry paid.
6. Don’t hide anyone that law enforcement agencies have declared wanted, in your house or Church premises.
7. Don’t matchmake people for marriage. If the marriage have issues, you will be blamed.
8. Don’t try to make decisions for the members or control them. Teach the word and leave decision making for members. Except where your opinion is asked, don’t force your ideas on people. When your ideas or decisions backfire, you will be denigrated.
9. Don’t allow sick people to sleep in Church or in your house. If you must admit them, let them sign some documents that extricate you from any form of issue, should anything happen to them.
10. Don’t allow your members pass huge amount of money through your account You could be arrested as an accomplice for advanced fee fraud, money laundering, kidnapping or drug peddling.
11. Don’t conduct a christening ceremony service of a child whose gestation history you don’t know. What if the baby was kidnapped? You could be arrested as an accomplice for kidnapping.

Once again, wisdom is profitable to direct

Let me add little:

• Don’t bury a corpse that the family are not available with full medical report and death certificate. I have encountered situations where we were asked to exhumed a body four days after burial
• Limit your direct involvement in politics, as a clergy you are supposed to be non partisan.
• Don’t visit a family when the husband or either parents are not around, you may be tempted or implicated.
• Don’t allow a woman that has quarrel with her husband to pass night or remain under your custody
• Don’t take anyone to hospital without the family been aware or possibly present

A lot of men of God today, innocently in the name of clear conscience have fallen into these ministerial landmines and destroyed their ministry or sent into undeserving prison term.
God bless you as you adhere to the above pieces of advise.

So, what I do when I see things like this in the Bible is to adjust my categories in my head. I won’t say, “Oh, well that can’t be, because I’ve got this category in my head.” No, no, no. You fix the categories in your head.

If once I thought of grace only as a character trait or a disposition or an inclination in the nature of God, which moved him to treat sinners better than they deserve — if that was my only conception, once upon a time — now, having seen all the texts, I broaden my understanding of grace as the Bible uses the term. Now I say, “Well, it appears that the word grace in Paul’s use not only refers to God’s character trait or disposition or inclination to treat people better than we deserve, but the word grace also refers to the action or the power or the influence or the force of this disposition, which produces real, practical outcomes in people’s lives, like being sufficient for good deeds or enduring the thorn in the flesh or working harder than everybody else, which Paul says about his own apostolic work.”

Now, that does not mean you have to give up that simple definition of undeserved favor. That’s true. That’s a good definition. It just means that the word also embraces the encouraging truth — at least I love the truth; that’s why these verses are so precious to me — that this favor overflows in powerful, practical helpfulness from God in your daily life where you most need it. That help is also called grace because it’s free and it’s undeserved.

Draw Near with Confidence

So, let me end with a precious verse that we all know and love and maybe have never thought about in this term of grace. Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” That’s a throne with the quality and the character and the inclination to treat people better than they deserve. That’s the kind of throne we’re coming to. But then it says, “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Or a more literal translation: “that we may find mercy and grace for a well-timed help.”

It is incredibly encouraging that God’s grace is both the inclination of the divine heart to treat us better than we deserve and is the extension of that inclination in practical help.